Three Home Decorating Ideas You May Have Overlooked

Everyone likes the excitement of change. Our clothes, our cars, and even our jobs get replaced because we hear the allure of something new and different. But we sometimes get stuck with the same look of our homes for years on end because we’re not sure what to do. We loved it when it was fresh and new, but now . . . well, it’s just ho hum. And while you may be able to get some home decorating ideas from Ikea or your local furniture store, it seems the ideas all run together into the same conclusion of doing nothing.

One of my favorite ways to get inspiring home decorating ideas is to browse the pages on Pinterest. But I’ve found the most unusual and creative decor when I’ve been traveling in foreign countries. If you haven’t got any trips on the agenda, just Google “decor” and your favorite country and you’ll find some great pics. Meanwhile, here are some suggestions that will get your creative juices flowing.

Go Commercial

Just limiting yourself to “home decor” leaves out many great possibilities. Think about where you see some of the most stunning decor. Restaurants. Hotels. Boutiques. Those and many more have been professionally designed. And they’re waiting for you to copy and adapt them.

One of the most interesting I’ve seen is in the kitchen. Tired of that tiny little sink? So was my friend. She’s a great cook and loves to entertain, which of course creates a huge mess on occasion. So when she remodeled, she purchased a used three compartment restaurant sink and built it into the counter. Coupled with a stainless steel prep table in the center of the kitchen, it’s both a big wow factor and super functional.

Murals

Murals are often overlooked because they’re thought of as whole-wall decor. But they don’t have to be. Framed in, they become a picture window. In smaller versions, they can be pieces of an artistic collage. So literally any room, even in the basement, can be given a look of openness, or classic art.

They’re available in just about any size imaginable, and can be used individually or in sequence for even the largest area. And gone are the days of boring scenes with limited designs. You can get everything from canvas to original wall art to stickers.

If you happen to live in one of those homes with a high ceiling and accompanying high wall, you’ve probably limited yourself by considering it all one wall. Why not divide the wall into an upper and lower section using a piece of decorative molding? Then, on the upper section, install a mural that gives the feeling of a big picture window. An added bonus is that by doing this you get to instantly transport your home to the mountains or beach or where ever you’d like!

Re-purposing

There’s a TV show I love to get inspiration from, called Flea Market Flip. When you unleash your imagination, it’s amazing what you can create out of old nearly-discarded items. Some of my favorites were turning a ladder and some old frames into a very chic accent piece, and two drab stools and an old barn door transformed into an awesome drop-down table perfect for a small space.

Don’t think you’re creative enough to pull off a re-purpose transformation? Spend a Saturday morning at your local flea market or swap meet. Leave your money at home (well, maybe enough for coffee . . .), and just go with your imagination and a note or sketch pad. Let yourself think outside the box, and you’ll be surprised what you can create with one!

Home Decorating Ideas Are Everywhere!

If you’ve got that room, or even a whole house, that’s begging for a new look, you don’t have to live with the same limits you always have. Let go, have fun, and let your creative side take charge and you’ll soon have “that look” that everyone wants to copy!